1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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The event also commemorated roughly 100 protesters who were killed in February 2014 during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, a pro-Western uprising to thwart Russian influence on the fledgling democratic nation.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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But Indra Hang Subba, a parliamentary legislator from Sikkim, says such delays are inherent to India's democratic system.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Whatever happens might instill a rebellious, independent reaction within you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The primary impetus and massive investment behind robotaxis, autonomous shuttles, self-driving trucks, and self-driving buses is not safety.—
John Samuelsen,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Self-driving truck firm Einride will soon begin using a Central Texas highway as a test bed for its purpose-built, cabless autonomous freight vehicles.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The first question treats the UAE as a lifestyle destination for expatriates and a parking lot for sovereign capital.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
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Crypto is held not only by everyday people but by sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and corporations with private wealth managers.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But Democrats are almost universally opposed to a separate proof of citizenship provision in the bill, and have generally panned the legislation as an attempt at voter suppression.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
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Pretti and Good died in separate shootings at the hands of federal agents during Operation Metro Surge.—
STEFANIE DAZIO,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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